Early warning signs of dementia in younger adults, experts say

Prof Nick Fox describes how early-onset and rare dementias can begin with behavioural, language or visual changes rather than memory loss, and reports a dedicated Rare Dementia Support Centre is due to open in London in 2026.

Prof Nick Fox, a consultant neurologist with decades of experience in young-onset and inherited dementias, describes how these conditions often present differently from late-life Alzheimer's. He reports that people can develop symptoms before age 65 — sometimes in their 20s or 30s — and that diagnosis is frequently delayed or mistaken for stress, depression or menopause. The article notes persistent gaps in support for this group and describes a new Rare Dementia Support Centre due to open in Woburn Square, London, in 2026. Key points: - Early-onset and rare dementias often begin with non-memory symptoms such as personality and behaviour changes, loss of empathy or motivation, speech and language difficulties, visual or spatial problems, and impaired risk assessment. - An estimated 70,000 to 150,000 people in the UK live with early-onset, rare, or atypical dementias; early-onset dementia is defined as symptoms starting before age 65 and can affect people in their 20s and 30s. - Younger people seeking diagnosis typically see multiple clinicians and face longer delays on average (reported as 4.4 years for younger patients versus 2.2 years for those over 65). - The Hilary and Galen Weston Rare Dementia Support Centre, developed by UCL and The National Brain Appeal, is scheduled to open in 2026 and is reported to aim to provide clinical expertise, psychosocial support, education and research, with an expected reach of around 10,000 patients, family members and professionals in its first year. Summary: The piece emphasizes that early-onset and rare dementias frequently show behavioural, language or visual signs that are not typical of late-life memory loss, contributing to misdiagnosis and isolation. A specialist support centre is due to open in London in 2026 to provide tailored services and to begin addressing gaps in care and information.